[Review] Sony Alpha A5000: Move over, NEX

Sony’s compact system cameras (CSC) need little introduction – deceivingly small, lightweight prosumer cameras with DSLR-like performance. The Japanese giant’s NEX “mirrorless” range has been highly successful since its debut in 2010. At CES 2014 in January, Sony introduced the Alpha A5000 which sits in the upper entry-level range, slightly below the NEX-5T.

Design and build

According to Sony, the A5000 is the world’s lightest interchangeable lens digital camera, weighing in at just 210g (without lens attached). That’s lighter than some modern smartphones! The A5000 is available in black, pink and white.

For those who own a NEX camera, the A5000 will feel familiar, as Sony has retained the much-loved form factor of the NEX series. I personally own both the first generation NEX-3 and NEX-3N. The compact body is pretty flat except for the chunky textured handgrip, which gives a reassuring grip when handling.

Most of the control buttons are positioned on the right side of the camera, naturally, making it within reach of the right thumb. On the upper deck are the on/off and shutter release buttons with zoom lever, stereo mic, flash toggle button and built-in flash.

On the back panel is the tactile Menu button, along with a four-way control wheel with a center OK button. The control wheels gives you instant access to Display, ISO, Exposure Compensation and Burst Mode. These buttons can be customised for fast access to different features. Below the control wheel are Playback and Help/Delete buttons.

A key feature is the non-touch 180-degree tilting LCD screen, rated at 461K dots. Performance in the Malaysian (and Indonesian) sun is commendable, with no major issues with reflectivity. The tilting LCD is fantastic for selfies, with the camera intelligent enough to re-adjust preview orientation when the screen is flipped.

The left side door of the camera houses mini-HDMI and micro-USB ports, as well as a multi-format memory card slot supporting Memory Stick and SD formats.

Video quality is good with stereo audio capture quite accurate too. The A5000 uses the AVCHD format for movie capture, with a maximum resolution of 1080/60i. I personally opt for MP4 format for my captures.

While I like my NEX-3N, it lacks Wi-Fi/NFC so the A5000’s built-in wireless capabilities are much welcomed. Setting up is a stroll in the park and I easily got it paired to my Lenovo K900 and Lenovo Yoga Tablet 8 for photo sharing and remote triggers. Great for remote shots and selfies, although it lacks on screen autofocus capabilities.

Overall, a very full-featured camera without much gimmickry. Ultimately, the end results i.e. the photos and videos are most important.

In the box

Alpha A5000 body

f/3.5-5.6 16-50mm Power Zoom lens

AC adapter

Lens cap

Camera strap

Battery charger

Micro USB cable

Image samples

More sample shots below:

More sample photos from the Sony A5000 on Flickr.

Pros

Affordable

Lightweight

Tilting display

Good build

Good overall image quality

Good low light performance

Wi-Fi & NFC for easy image transfers and remote triggers

Improved menu system

Cons

Slow burst speeds

LCD screen could be better

Verdict

Starting from just RM1,999 (SRP), the Sony Alpha A5000 is an excellent all-rounder producing highly detailed images. The lightweight body is much welcomed. The Exmor APS-C sensor with new BIONZ X image processor does not disappoint. Sony has more or less stuck to its winning formula and the A5000 is a natural choice for budget-conscious and entry-level enthusiasts alike. The new metering system is quicker and overall performance is spot on. What I really like is the re-designed Menu System and Wi-Fi/NFC sharing and remote control.

Overall, the A5000 is a good entry point to CSC cameras and an excellent introduction to Sony’s E-Mount family.